One of the treats about living in this part of the world, other than the incredibly warm climate, is the neverending parade of insects and creatures that we encounter...and it's probably due 
to the incredibly warm climate that we have all these colourful and unusual visitors - they certainly don't cross the threshold in Vancouver.
to the incredibly warm climate that we have all these colourful and unusual visitors - they certainly don't cross the threshold in Vancouver. For the most part, I couldn't identify most of the beetles, scarabs and spidery things. They come is varying sizes but usually it's the larger ones that really catch my attention. Although I haven't seen any 5-inch Hercules beetles, it's not uncommon to see beetles that are larger than one inch lyin
g on the floor. I am quite intrigued by the praying mantis and stick bugs. It's just seems so unusual to see 4 to 5-inch bugs on the walls and ceilings. Fortunately for us, but not the bugs, our neighbours have introduced us to 'Alphadex', which when mixed in water and applied to surfaces, seems to 'kill 'em dead. It may not be very 'Buddha' of us to knock off these multipeds, but a few of these multipeds are equiped with nasty stingers that can inflict a fatal blow.
g on the floor. I am quite intrigued by the praying mantis and stick bugs. It's just seems so unusual to see 4 to 5-inch bugs on the walls and ceilings. Fortunately for us, but not the bugs, our neighbours have introduced us to 'Alphadex', which when mixed in water and applied to surfaces, seems to 'kill 'em dead. It may not be very 'Buddha' of us to knock off these multipeds, but a few of these multipeds are equiped with nasty stingers that can inflict a fatal blow.It seems like 
the most frequent critters to scuttle across the floors, walls and ceilings, other than ants, are scorpions. Last year Meg and I killed 17 of them around the casa. We thought there were a lot of them because the house was under construction and the scorpions were disturbed by the activity. We uncovered two little alacrans when we were opening up the house in October and have seen an odd one since then but have become somewhat complacent about scorpion encounters.
the most frequent critters to scuttle across the floors, walls and ceilings, other than ants, are scorpions. Last year Meg and I killed 17 of them around the casa. We thought there were a lot of them because the house was under construction and the scorpions were disturbed by the activity. We uncovered two little alacrans when we were opening up the house in October and have seen an odd one since then but have become somewhat complacent about scorpion encounters. For some reason or other, in the last few days, we have had a small invasion of sorts. Just to creep us out, there is no rhyme nor reason to their appearances, least none that we can understand. For instance, Meg reached for a facecloth to wipe away some toothpaste from her lip. As she started to wipe her face she felt a little flutter - there was a 4-inch scorpion resting on the facecloth. Needless to say, she freaked. After the initial shock and 
pandemonium, the scorpion was flung into the toilet where is scrambled around until flushed. Now we hope that is doesn't learn to climb up the piping. Last night as we were relaxing, watching the sun set in the West, I happened upon another one scuttling along behind Meg's chair. You never know where they will be. At least I am becoming a little bit more aware of them and am programming myself to detect movement and colour. According to reports, there are 1000 to 2000 scorpion fatalaties in Mexico each year....usually the Centruoides Exilicauda scorpion, a small, light brown, inch-long creature also known as a "bark scorpion." Yikes!!
pandemonium, the scorpion was flung into the toilet where is scrambled around until flushed. Now we hope that is doesn't learn to climb up the piping. Last night as we were relaxing, watching the sun set in the West, I happened upon another one scuttling along behind Meg's chair. You never know where they will be. At least I am becoming a little bit more aware of them and am programming myself to detect movement and colour. According to reports, there are 1000 to 2000 scorpion fatalaties in Mexico each year....usually the Centruoides Exilicauda scorpion, a small, light brown, inch-long creature also known as a "bark scorpion." Yikes!!
